Helicopter flight instructors often have to get by with standard flight instructor refresher courses that usually focus on airplanes. Now they have another option with King Schools’ new helicopter-specific FIRC.

The FIRC is a variation of the company’s main refresher course that launched last year. Many of the overall themes, such as teaching risk management and conducting flight reviews remain, but each has been optimized for the rotorcraft environment. “The goal is that by giving helicopter flight instructors more insight into topics that are focused on helicopter flying they will have more tools available to produce helicopter pilots truly ready to be pilot-in-command,” said co-founder John King.

Much of the content of the course was developed in partnership with Helicopter Association International, including some new videos that present the topics in a scenario-based approach.

The King School helicopter FIRC is available now for $99 or $129 with paperwork processing. That processing is done entirely online, with no paperwork to send in or notary visit required.

Ian J. Twombly

"Flight Training" Editor

AOPA Pilot and Flight Training Editor Ian J. Twombly joined AOPA in 2003 and is an instrument flight instructor.